Street fare: Menteng offers a place to dine under the stars Hera Diani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta ================================================================== STANDFIRST: With its well-planned homes set in spacious grounds, Menteng was the model suburb for the Dutch. That was then; Jakartans today find its side streets are a great spot to grab an evening bite and let the night pass into morning.

Menteng a place to dine under the stars Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With its well-planned homes set in spacious grounds, Menteng was the model suburb for the Dutch. That was then; Jakartans today find its side streets are a great spot to grab an evening bite and let the night pass into morning. With the rainy season back in full force, dining out al fresco is not an option for many. Yet, on one evening last week, visitors still flocked to the lane off Jl.

Oil and gas liberalization: A real test for President Susilo Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta The liberalization of the Indonesian oil and gas sector constitutes a real heavyweight test in the first 100 days of President Bambang Yudhoyono's administration since not only his own image is at stake but also the future of the nation as a whole.

RI students in Perth revved up by souped-up cars Prapti Widinugraheni, Contributor, Perth, Australia A shiny black Lexus emblazoned with racing car stickers glided into the car park, its body almost scraping the asphalt. The driver's eyes, nose and forehead were visible over the dashboard and all noise was drowned out by the deep rumbling of its engine.

Turning around the decline in crude oil production Hendarsyah Tarmizi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent increase in global oil prices has resulted in windfall profits for most oil producers in the world, but not Indonesia. Despite being a member of the powerful Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Indonesia was unfortunately unable to take advantage of the surge in oil prices.

A heaven sent people and culture Torajans believe that their ancestors originated from a marriage of people from the heaven and sea, creating their offspring together with the unique culture of Aluk Todelo. That is the folklore version; more contemporary anthropological research reveals that ancestors of Torajans came from Indochina and belong to proto Malays, like the Batak of North Sumatra and the Dayak in Kalimantan, who migrated to the land many centuries ago.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, December 12, 2004 Exhibitions * Photo The Master Class Klavdij Sluban, Oktagon Gallery, Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 50A, Central Jakarta, until Dec. 22. * The Hungry Box: the endless interiors of MVRDV, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Jan. 7. * Arts by Canadian artist Ken Pattern, at Four Seasons Hotel (Regent), Jl.

The Jakarta flood Korrie Layun Rampan He had been whistling all afternoon; several of the other riverbank slum dwellers wondered why Bejo was suddenly in such a good mood. He had earlier been too sulky to talk with his neighbors. "Got a lot of orders, kang (older brother)?" asked a woman. "Be sure to share them with us, OK?" Bejo only smiled. Actually, he was tired of living on the riverbank.

Soul support: Soothing the heart in a tranquil home Maria Endah Hulupi, Contributor, Jakarta A house can work wonders for its owners, as it does not only reflect their lifestyle but with careful design, can also soothe the heart and soul. A home that also serves as a sanctuary from the usual routine is hard to find, but the architects of this modern house make it happen.

'Suu Kyi detainment reasonable' THAILAND: Myanmar's military junta has reasonable and convincing reasons for continuing to keep pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday. Speaking on his weekly radio broadcast, Thaksin said he asked Myanmar's leaders about the Nobel Peace laureate's detention on a trip Thursday to the Southeast Asian nation.

TV Program: Sunday, December 12, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya The Bee 7:30 Children Show 9:00 Music: Delta 10:30 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:00 TV Drama 12:30 p.m. English for Fun 1:00 News: Berita Siang 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Documentary 5:00 Robocon 6:30 Documentary 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 Italian League (Live) 10:30 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 11:00 Traditional Performances TPI 5:00 a.m.

Susilo visits quake victims in Alor a month after disaster Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited on Saturday victims of the major earthquake that rattled the East Nusa Tenggara island of Alor, one month after the disaster took place. Running behind schedule, Susilo arrived at Alor's main town of Kalabahi just before dusk.

Tana Toraja out to win UNESCO award, and visitors Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi The rainy season comes early in Tana Toraja, but it does not dampen the generous beauty of the mountain panoramas, or its exotic culture, blessed with traditional burial sites and architecture. The face of Tana Toraja regent JA Situru beamed with hope as he explained the area's attractions for both domestic and foreign tourists compared to other parts of the country.

Ikranegara stays true to his spirit Yenni Djahidin, Contributor, Washington Born and raised in Bali, Ikranegara cannot put a distance between him and his artistic path, even when he lives far away from home. The gray clouds had been pouring rain all day long. It was cold, damp and miserable outside the house. But inside, the room was filled with the voice and laughter of one of the best-known contemporary artists in Indonesia. Ikranegara has published four books.

Razak hits back at Anwar MALAYSIA: Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has hit out at opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, after the latter suggested that Malaysia was less democratic than Indonesia. "Politics is politics. At the end of the day, what is important is the image of the country," Saturday's Star newspaper quoted Najib as saying. "We need not go overboard with a single dimension, touching on the process of democracy and forgetting or choosing not to touch on Malaysia's successes.

Indonesia trounces Vietnam in Tiger Cup Agencies, Hanoi Indonesia stunned Vietnam 3-0 in a Tiger Cup Group A match Saturday in Hanoi, putting the host country in danger of being eliminated in the semifinals for the first time in the tournament's history. Indonesia's quick passes on all parts of the field in the first half created a number of problems for Vietnam to organize attacks. Indonesia's Muhammad Mauli Lessy scored from a header off a corner at the 20th minute to help the guests lead 1-0.

RI off to dismal start in LG Cup Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta With poor health forcing Indonesian Olympian Satrio Rahadani to withdraw from the 7th LG ASEAN Tae kwon do championship here on Saturday, Indonesia got off to a miserable start. Satrio, who said he had only been informed of his inclusion in the last few days, was to have faced Long Dien of Vietnam. "I have had a bad fever for several days and, physically, I am so weak," said the 23-year-old.

Didik marks birthday in style Cynthia Webb, Contributor, Yogyakarta A man of many talents, and faces, Didik Nini Thowok will mark a milestone in his life in his hometown, surrounded by friends and colleagues from the arts. Yogyakarta residents are in for a rare treat during the week commencing Dec. 13, when one of the city's most famous citizens will join his international colleagues and friends to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Film awards back after extended absence Hera Diani and Bruce Emond The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The critically acclaimed comedy of manners Arisan swept most of the major acting awards at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) on Saturday night, held for the first time in 12 years. Tora Sudiro was named best actor for his performance in Arisan as a gay man inching his way out of the closet, while Surya Saputra took the best supporting actor honors in the same film.

Crossing over to the other side It's a simple bridge made from bamboo, very similar to those found around the country, yet it plays a mighty role in connecting the residents of two villages. Villagers of Gunung Puyuh and Soka in Bantul, Yogyakarta, cross the bridge -- either walking, riding bicycles or on motorcycles -- on their way to work or simply to meet their neighbors on the other side.

'Arisan' takes major honors at film festival Hera Diani and Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The critically acclaimed comedy of manners Arisan swept best picture and most of the major acting awards at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) on Saturday night, held for the first time in 12 years. Tora Sudiro was named best actor for his performance in Arisan as a gay man inching his way out of the closet, while Surya Saputra took the best supporting actor honors in the same film.

RI boxers overcome first hurdles Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Islands Four Indonesian boxers won the opening fights in the President's Cup here on Saturday. Abdul Razak, Erico Amanupunyo, Rionando Butar Butar and Daud Yordan all chalked up lopsided victories over their respective opponents in the tournament.

How Malaysia escaped the crisis Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Tragedy That Didn't Happen: Malaysia's crisis Management and Capital Controls Marie-Aimee Tourres Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia 2003 (Launched August 2004) 338 pp (hardback, US$23.50, paperback, US$13) In the years preceding the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Malaysia, a middle-income developing nation that enjoyed an average annual growth of 9 percent during the last decade, had...

Cuban flair, some stabs in the dark for menswear Syahmedi Dean, Contributor, Jakarta As the modern man is fond of the sartorial mix 'n' match, whether it's a tuxedo jacket worn over a T-shirt, or a polo shirt and hipster jeans, several local designers set out to offer their trends for 2005. A total of 15 designers featured their latest collections at Bliss Menara Jamsostek in Central Jakarta last week.

Musician Harry Roesli dead at 53 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Musician Harry Roesli, a flamboyant and dynamic figure in the local arts scene, died of heart disease at Harapan Kita Hospital in West Jakarta on Saturday night. He was 53. Known for poking fun at his portly figure, Harry had suffered from hypertension and diabetes. He suffered a heart attack on Nov. 30, and had since been hospitalized in his hometown of Bandung and then Jakarta.

Indonesian student faces death in Cairo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An Indonesian student accused of murdering four members of a Malaysian family in Cairo earlier this year will likely face the death sentence. Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Bachtiar Aly said on Saturday the student, Ali Darman, was likely to go on death row after relatives of the deceased refused to pardon him. Under Egyptian law, capital punishment can be avoided if the relatives of a victim agree to forgive the murderer.

NU's new lineup set to mend fences Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hasyim Muzadi announced here on Saturday the new members of Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) central board, including several figures who were opposed to his recent reelection as NU leader. The appointment of such men as Masdar Farid Mas'udi, Tholchah Hasan, Mustofa Bisri, Solahuddin Wahid and Malik Madany, was apparently aimed at appeasing the anti-Hasyim camp, led by former NU leader and president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Musician Harry Roesli dead at 58 The Jakarta Post Jakarta Musician Harry Roesli, a flamboyant and dynamic figure in the local arts scene, died of heart disease at Harapan Kita Hospital in West Jakarta on Saturday night. He was 53. Known for poking fun at his portly figure, Harry had suffered from hypertension and diabetes. He suffered a heart attack on Nov. 30, and had since been hospitalized in his hometown of Bandung and then Jakarta.

Major oil producers see significant drop in output Most oil producers in Indonesia have experienced significant production drops over the past few years, despite their intensive production recovery programs. Among oil companies that have seen production declines are Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI), China's CNOOP, Exspan, ConocoPhilips, BP, Vico, PetroChina, Pertamina and Medco Energi International Tbk.

Beaten hosts aim last strike at Thailand ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Already beaten in the battle for the championship, Indonesia will try to regain its pride over crowned Thailand when the two teams meet on Sunday in the soccer final at the ASEAN University Games. "We know Thailand is a strong team, but we will be striving hard to win the match," Indonesian coach Sutrisno said here on Saturday.

Now showing Rindu Kami Padamu (Our Longing for You) (Drama, 90 minutes) Starring Didi Petet, Neno Warisman, Nova Eliza, Jaja Miharja, Fauzy Baadila. Directed by Garin Nugroho. Garin's "smallest" movie is his most accessible to date, and surprisingly very entertaining. The tale of a mute little girl is hopefully awaiting her long- lost brother, a little boy longing for a mother figure, and several other stories are smoothly woven into a heartwarming movie set in a traditional market.

India-ASEAN car rally ends in Batam Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Islands After traveling for 20 days from Guwahati, India, the India- ASEAN rally finished here on Saturday with only 22 of 60 cars continuing the final stage from Singapore to Indonesia. The non-competitive rally covered a total of 8,000 kilometers encompassing routes in India, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.